Propagação de orquídea Gongora quinquenervis por semeadura in vitro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a germinação e a organogênese in vitro em Gongora quinquenervis em dois meios nutritivos, Knudson "C" e Murashige & Skoog, com três concentrações de BAP (0,0, 0,5 e 1,0 mg L-1). Os protocormos cultivados no meio Knudson "C" necrosaram. A maioria dos embriões cultivados em meio Murashige & Skoog tendeu a diferenciar-se em calos. Estes calos apresentaram alto potencial morfogenético, regenerando grande número de plantas via organogênese indireta, sobretudo no material proveniente do tratamento desprovido de BAP. Foram formadas 41 plantas pela rota normal de germinação, contrastando com 715 plantas regeneradas via organogênese indireta.

Efeito da omissão de macronutrientes e boro no crescimento, nos sintomas de deficiências nutricionais e na composição mineral de plantas de camucamuzeiro

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da omissão de macronutrientes e do micronutriente boro no crescimento, nos sintomas de deficiências nutricionais e na composição mineral em plantas de camucamuzeiro, conduziu-se experimento em casa de vegetação, mediante a técnica do elemento faltante. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e oito tratamentos, sendo completo (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e micronutrientes) e omissão individual de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e B. Os sintomas visuais de deficiências foram, de modo geral, de fácil caracterização para todos os nutrientes. Com exceção do fósforo, as omissões dos demais nutrientes afetaram a produção de matéria seca, quando comparados ao tratamento completo. Com base nos teores em g kg-1, dos macronutrientes, e em mg kg-1, do micronutriente boro nas folhas, infere-se em uma primeira aproximação dos valores adequados (completo), ou seja: 16,9 a 18,2 de N ; 1,2 a 1,9 de P; 5,2 a 6,0 de K; 9,9 a 11,7 de Ca; 1,4 a 3,6 de Mg; 2,4 a 2,8 de S ; 8,4 a 9,5 de B e do deficiente (omissão) , 6,5 a 7,9 de N ; =0,9 de P; =1,7 de K ; 5,4 a 6,5 de Ca; =0,7 de Mg; 0,7 a 1,2 de S e 1,1 a 1,9 de B

Diferentes composições de substratos e ambientes protegidos na formação de mudas de pé-franco de tamarindeiro

O tamarindeiro é uma frutífera importante ocorrente no Cerrado brasileiro e com sistema radicular profundo e possui resistência à seca prolongada. Seus frutos são utilizados na culinária; suas sementes, em forragem animal, e seu óleo, na indústria farmacêutica. Diante do exposto, este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a formação de mudas de pé-franco de tamarindeiro, em diferentes composições de substratos e ambientes protegidos. As mudas foram produzidas em estufa agrícola, coberta com filme de polietileno de baixa densidade de 150 μm e tela termorrefletora de 50% de sombreamento sob o filme; viveiro com tela preta de monofilamento de 50% de sombreamento e viveiro com tela termorrefletora de 50% de sombreamento. Em cada ambiente de cultivo, foram testados os substratos: 100% de solo; 80% de solo e 20% de composto orgânico; 60% de solo e 40% de composto orgânico; 40% de solo e 60% de composto orgânico; 20% de solo e 80% de composto orgânico, e 100% de composto orgânico. O efeito do ambiente foi examinado usando procedimento estatístico para análise de experimentos combinados (grupos de experimentos). Dentro dos ambientes, um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado foi adotado, com oito repetições. O substrato com 80% de solo e 20% de Organosuper® foi o mais propício para a formação das mudas. A estufa agrícola foi o melhor ambiente para a formação das mudas de tamarindeiro.

Guavira emergence and seedling production with substrates containing organic compost and soil under different screen environments

This study aimed to evaluate different proportions of organic compost and soil as a substrate for the guavira emergence and seedling formation under different protected environments, in the high Pantanal region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The seeds were placed in polyethylene bags (15 x 25 centimeters) filled with four percentages of organic compost (0%, 20%, 80%, and 100% of total volume) mixed with soil. These substrates were tested in agro-nurseries covered with black screen and 50% thermo-reflecting shade cloths. The substrate with 20% soil and 80% organic compost and the black screen shade cloth promote the best performance in the seedling production.

Adenocarcinoma da próstata: a alteração hipoecogênica difusa da próstata é um achado ultra-sonográfico importante?

Avaliar se há associação entre a observação de alteração hipoecogênica difusa da próstata, com perda da demarcação entre a zona periférica e a glândula interna, e o diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de próstata na biópsia prostática transretal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 143 homens com nível sérico de antígeno prostático específico maior do que 4 ng/ml. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à ultra-sonografia endorretal e biópsia randomizada da próstata. RESULTADOS: Foi diagnosticado adenocarcinoma de próstata em 36,4% dos pacientes. A alteração hipoecogênica difusa da próstata, caracterizada por perda da demarcação entre a zona periférica e a glândula central, foi observada em 22 pacientes e correspondeu ao diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de próstata em 21 deles (95,4%). CONCLUSÃO: A alteração hipoecogênica difusa da próstata constituiu um critério de suspeita ultra-sonográfica de adenocarcinoma de próstata altamente significativo, já que em 95,4% das próstatas que apresentavam essas características a biópsia foi positiva para adenocarcinoma de próstata

Reliability of digital panoramic radiography in the diagnosis of carotid artery calcifications

Objective The present study evaluated the reliability of digital panoramic radiography in the diagnosis of carotid artery calcifications. Materials and Methods Thirty-five patients under high-risk for development of carotid artery calcifications who had digital panoramic radiography were referred to undergo ultrasonography. Thus, 70 arteries were assessed by both methods. The main parameters utilized to evaluate the panoramic radiography reliability in the diagnosis of carotid artery calcifications were accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of this method as compared with ultrasonography. Additionally, the McNemar's test was utilized to verify whether there was a statistically significant difference between digital panoramic radiography and ultrasonography. Results Ultrasonography demonstrated carotid artery calcifications in 17 (48.57%) patients. Such individuals presented with a total of 29 (41.43%) carotid arteries affected by calcification. Radiography was accurate in 71.43% (n = 50) of cases evaluated. The degree of sensitivity of this method was 37.93%, specificity of 95.12% and positive predictive value of 84.61%. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed between the methods evaluated in their capacity to diagnose carotid artery calcifications. Conclusion Digital panoramic radiography should not be indicated as a method of choice in the investigation of carotid artery calcifications.

Coronary anomalies: what the radiologist should know

AbstractCoronary anomalies comprise a diverse group of malformations, some of them asymptomatic with a benign course, and the others related to symptoms as chest pain and sudden death. Such anomalies may be classified as follows: 1) anomalies of origination and course; 2) anomalies of intrinsic coronary arterial anatomy; 3) anomalies of coronary termination. The origin and the proximal course of anomalous coronary arteries are the main prognostic factors, and interarterial course or a coronary artery is considered to be malignant due its association with increased risk of sudden death. Coronary computed tomography angiography has become the reference method for such an assessment as it detects not only anomalies in origination of these arteries, but also its course in relation to other mediastinal structures, which plays a relevant role in the definition of the therapeutic management. Finally, it is essential for radiologists to recognize and characterize such anomalies.

Extração, estruturas e propriedades de alfa- e beta-quitina

The fact that alpha- and beta-chitin adopt different arrays in the solid state is explored to emphasize their different properties and distinct spectral characteristics and X ray diffraction patterns. The methods for their extraction from the biomass in view of the preservation of their native structures and aiming to fulfill the claims of purity and uniformity for potential applications are discussed. The different arrays adopted by alpha- and beta-chitin also result in distinct reactivities toward the deacetylation reaction. Thus, the deacetylation of beta-chitin is more efficient owing to the better accessibility to amide groups due to the lower crystallinity of this polymorph.

A low-cost ultrasonic spray dryer to produce spherical microparticles from polymeric matrices

The spray-drying technique has been widely used for drying heat-sensitive foods, pharmaceuticals, and other substances, because it leads to rapid solvent evaporation from droplets. This method involves the transformation of a feed from a fluid state into a dried particulate, by spraying the feed into a hot medium. Despite being most often considered a dehydration process, spray drying can also be used as an encapsulation method. Therefore, this work proposes the use of a simple and low-cost ultrasonic spray dryer system to produce spherical microparticles. This equipment was successfully applied to the preparation of dextrin microspheres on a laboratory scale and for academic purposes.

Um espalhador de baixo custo de fase estacionária em placas para cromatografia em camada delgada

Chromatography is a means of separating mixtures into their several components. TLC, mainly a liquid/solid process, is one of the separation techniques most often used. It is indispensable in laboratories dealing with natural products, organic and analytical chemistry. Commercial chromatography plates are offered at relatively high cost. In this work the construction of a hand-operated plate coater of stationary phases of low cost and good reproducibility is described to be used in teaching laboratories and research.

Produção de biossurfactante por levedura

Biosurfactants are molecules extracellularly produced by bacteria, yeast and fungi that have significant interfacial activity properties. This review focuses on relevant parameters that influence biosurfactant production by yeasts. Many works have investigated the optimization of yeast biosurfactant production, mainly within the last decade, revealing that the potential of such microorganisms is not well explored in the industrial field. The main points to increase the process viability lays on the reduction of the production costs and enhancement of biosynthesis efficiency through optimization the culture conditions (carbon and nitrogen source, pH, aeration, speed agitation) and the selection of inexpensive medium components.

Compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante do café conilon submetido a diferentes graus de torra

The bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity presented by Conilon coffee (C. Canephora) variety, produced in the Espírito Santo State, Brazil, were quantified. The light roast coffee showed the highest level of total phenols, trigonelline, caffeic and chlorogenic acids. The proanthocyanidin level was the highest for dark roast coffee, while caffeine level didn't show significative changes for the light and middle roast coffees. All the Conilon coffee extracts showed antioxidant activity depending on bioactive compounds concentration and roasting degree. The coffee samples submitted to a light roasting degree showed the highest antioxidant activity.

Outdoor/indoor air quality in primary schools in Lisbon: a preliminary study

Simultaneous measurements of outdoor and indoor pollution were performed at three schools in Lisbon. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and NO2 were passively monitored over a two-week period. Bacterial and fungal colony-forming units and comfort parameters were also monitored at classrooms and playgrounds. The highest indoor levels of CO2 (2666 μg/m³), NO2 (40.3 μg/m³), VOCs (10.3 μg/m³), formaldehyde (1.03 μg/m³) and bioaerosols (1634 CFU/m³), and some indoor/outdoor ratios greater than unity, suggest that indoor sources and building conditions might have negative effects on air indoors. Increasing ventilation rates and use of low-emission materials would contribute towards improving indoor air quality.

Metabolismo, oxidação e implicações biológicas do ácido docosahexaenoico em doenças neurodegenerativas

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3, DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) present in large concentrations in the brain and, due to the presence of six double bonds in its structure, is highly susceptible to oxidation by enzymes and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. The peroxidation of PUFAs has been implicated in an increasing number of human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, a better understanding of the metabolism pathways of DHA should provide new insights about its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the main aspects related to DHA metabolism, as well as, the recent findings showing its association with neurodegenerative diseases.